George Washingtons
The number of George Washingtons born in Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, by Cokie Roberts was striking. Obviously, I needed to make a list.
What would the collective noun be for Georges Washington? A gaggle? Perhaps. A colony? Hmmm… that’s rabbits, but it seems maybe appropriate. Open to suggestions!
George Washington
The one, but not the only!
Martha was “content in her singular freedom from authoritative restraint.” She was the wealthiest woman in the colonies. The “beautiful widow remained immovably relentless” despite the interested suitors, according to an 1800s biographer. Until George came along. He was hot, broke, and a hero. What’s not to love!
George Washington Greene
Son of Kitty and Nathanael Greene
Bonus: his sister is Martha Washington Greene
After Nathanael died, both George Washington and Lafayette offered to educate George Washington Greene
Educated in France, courtesy of the Lafayettes … who had their very own George Washington that this George Washington was friends with….
Georges Washington Louis Gilbert de La Fayette
Escaped the French revolution and lived with Alexander and Betsey Hamilton
And then with George and Martha Washington
His dad was in exile, his mom was in jail, his grandmother and great-grandmother were beheaded, George Washington was inaugurated for the second time, King Louis XVI was beheaded, and England was at war with France (I think that’s the order of events, but admittedly I didn’t verify. The events themselves seem interesting enough on their own)
Toured America with his dad, 1824-1825
George Washington Reed
Youngest child of Esther and Joseph Reed.
His mom organized fundraising with women during the war, encouraging them to cut back with simpler dresses, etc., and send the money they saved to help the cause.
They raised $300,000.
The biggest donor — Georges Washington Louis Gilbert de La Fayette’s mom! The Marchioness de La Fayette!
Esther sadly died before her idea came to be and the soldiers received the fruits of her labor.
George Washington Adams
Much to Abigail Adams’ dismay, John Quincy and Louisa Adams named their firstborn George Washington Adams (their second born was John Adams II)
JQA said “I implore the favour of almighty God that he may live and never prove unworthy of it.”
They’d kept the pregnancy a secret because they’d endured so many heartbreaks. After his birth, JQA reported that Louisa was “fat and rosy as her boy” which I believe was a compliment.
As a child, they left him behind when JQA’s work took him abroad
It’s believed that he died by suicide, jumping off of a boat
*Maybe not girl…? I don’t know how old she was. Younger than him.
**Apparently, his parents would have nothing to do with the baby (their grandchild!) or the woman ( Eliza Dolph).
John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life, by Paul C. Nagel
George Washington Carver
I really only knew about peanuts, but holy cow this guy is fascinating
Born into slavery
Graduate degree in agricultural science
The only Black person on the country at the time with that distinction, he was actively recruited by Booker T. Washington for the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute’s new agriculture department
To President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “I beg of you to have your Physic-therapist use pure peanut oil.”
When she was younger, Kamala Harris and her sister knew all about George Washington Carver. When they first learned about George Washington in school, her sister said “I know him! He’s the one who worked with peanuts!”
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, by Kamala Harris
Stark contrast between this George Washington and the next…
George Washington Park Custis (“Washy”)
Ew.
He’s the worst.
George Washington’s step-grandson.
Serial rapist. 40 children from forcing himself on enslaved women… that his grandmother (Martha Washington) knew about anyhow.
His legitimate daughter Mary married Robert E. Lee; it was in their home that Lee decided to turn down President Lincoln’s offer to command the Union troops to command the rebels instead.
(A couple of these guys were not featured in the book; I’ll continue to add to this list if I discover more.)
Thoughts on a collective noun…?